A disqualified drink driver who killed a mum-of-three when he crashed during a police chase has been jailed for six years and eight months.

Liam Ellis, who had never taken a driving test and was drunk drove at speeds of up to 84mph before losing control of the vehicle.

Sophie Case, a 20-year-old mother of three - including two of Ellis’ own children – died shortly after he ploughed into a van.

Ellis, 22, of Wisley Way, Quinton, who had previously admitted causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and while over the alcohol limit, was also banned from the roads for five years.

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Ellis who told police he had “killed my baby mother” was later breathalysed and found to be one and a half times over the legal limit for driving.

He later said that he had taught himself to drive and was aware that the Rover had a fault and was pulling to the right.

Mr Dunstan said the victim’s children were aged one, two and three and that Ellis was the father of two of them.

Tribute to Sophie Case.

He said Mr Hawthorn suffered injuries including broken ribs and a fractured foot.

In passing sentence Judge Mark Wall said: “You drove in the early hours of the morning in a built up area where there were cars on the road in a way that was appalling.

“The effect of what you have done is going to live with other people for ever.”

He said he had read a “vivid” impact statement from Miss Ellis’s parents and went on: “You are responsible for a 20-year-old mother of three losing the opportunity to see her children grow up.”

William Dudley, for Ellis, said although the defendant were not in a completely traditional family household they were close friends.

He said at the time his only concern was for Miss Case and not himself and went on “This young man has made some bad decisions in life but he is not a bad person.”

The scene in Jiggins Lane in Bartley Green where Sophie Case died.

A fter sentencing The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it was investigating the actions of police officers prior to the fatal crash.

Shortly before the collision an unmarked West Midlands Police car had begun to pursue the vehicle.

The IPCC said its investigators had been to the scene of the crash and had obtained in-car footage from the scene as part of its independent investigation.

IPCC Commissioner Derrick Campbell said: “I send my thoughts and condolences to Sophie’s family and friends at this sad time for them, and all those affected by her tragic death. Our investigation will examine police actions prior to the collision to determine whether appropriate policies and procedures were followed.

“We have made contact with Sophie’s family to explain our role, and we will be keeping them updated as the investigation progresses.”